Self Help Centers

A Self Help Center is a place where you can find helpful information, services and resources about your legal problem if you are not represented by an attorney. The Self Help Centers assist people who represent themselves in the Minnesota District Courts.

A Self Help Center is a place where you can find helpful information and services about your legal problem if you are not represented by an attorney. Legal information includes court forms and tools to help you complete court forms, answers to general questions about court process or procedure, and help preparing for your day in court. There are a number of different ways you can get help:

Self Help Center staff are court employees. Court employees cannot provide legal advice or conduct legal research. There is no attorney-client privilege or confidentiality of any information between you and the staff at a Self Help Center. Staff must remain neutral and may provide services to other people involved with your legal problem. Self Help staff are not responsible for the outcome of your case. Please read What Court Staff Can and Cannot Do for You.

Many legal issues are time sensitive and contain strict deadlines. If you are unsure about whether deadlines apply to your legal problem, you should seek immediate legal advice from an attorney. DO NOT wait for assistance from a Self Help Center.

MN Courts (Statewide) Self Help Center

Self Help Center workstations are available in all county courthouses except Hennepin and Ramsey. Each workstation has a computer, phone and printer. You may visit the workstation to find legal information, print court forms, access tools to help you complete court forms, and talk with Self Help staff over the phone. Find Your Court.

Walk-In Self Help Center Locations

Some courts have walk-in Self Help Centers where you can receive help in person. Before visiting a walk-in location:

Visit Help Topics. You may be able to find the information you need without coming to a Center in person.

Arrange for child care. The Self Help Centers do not have a play area or toys for children. You and other people using the Center will need to be able to focus on legal issues without distraction.

Expect to spend some time on your legal issues, both on your own and at the Self Help Center. You may not be able to take care of your legal problem in one visit.

Anoka County Courthouse
325 East Main Street, C210
Anoka, MN 55303-2489
The Center is located in the central building on the second level, across from the Jury Assembly Room.

Walk-in Hours

Monday – Thursday, 9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. on a first-come first-served basis based on availability. Note: Based on staffing, hours/days are subject to change. If you are planning to visit the Self-Help Center in person, please call (763) 279-4325(voicemails not currently accepted) to confirm the Center is open the day you plan to visit.

The Self-Help Center is closed on Fridays, but will accept telephone calls based on staff availability.

Walk-in HoursWednesdays from 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. on a first-come first-served basis based on availability. Note: Based on staffing, hours/days are subject to change. If you are planning to visit the Self-Help Center in person, please call (763) 279-4325 (voicemails not currently accepted) to confirm the Center is open the day you plan to visit.

The Hennepin County District Court has two walk-in Self-Help Centers that offer services to people who are representing themselves in court. The public may also visit the Hennepin County Law Library to find "do-it-yourself" legal materials and get help with legal research.

Self Help Center Hennepin Co. Govt. Center

The Hennepin County Government Center Self Help Center will close at Noon on Friday, September 16 for remodeling. We will re-open at 8am on Monday, September 19 and resume our normal office hours (Monday – Friday, 8am – 3:30pm).

There will be no Legal Access Point (LAP) clinic on Friday, September 16. The LAP clinic will be available on Monday, September 19 from 1-3pm only.

Walk-in HoursWednesdays from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on a first-come first-served basis based on availability. Note: Based on staffing, hours/days are subject to change. If you are planning to visit the Self-Help Center in person, please call (763) 279-4325 (voicemails not currently accepted) to confirm the Center is open the day you plan to visit.

Walk-in HoursMondays from 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. on a first-come first-served basis based on availability. Note: Based on on staffing, hours/days are subject to change. If you are planning to visit the Self-Help Center in person, please call (763) 279-4325 (voicemails not currently accepted) to confirm the Center is open the day you plan to visit.

Walk-In HoursMondays from 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. on a first-come first-served basis based on availability. Note: Based on staffing, hours/days are subject to change. If you are planning to visit the Self-Help Center in person, please call (763) 279-4325 (voicemails not currently accepted) to confirm the Center is open the day you plan to visit.

Juvenile and Family Justice Center
25 West 7th Street
St. Paul, MN 55102
(651) 266-5125
The Ramsey County Family Court Self-Help Service Center is located on the first floor of the Juvenile and Family Justice Center.

Tuesdays 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. & 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. on a first-come first-served basis based on availabillity. Note: Based on staffing, hours/days are subject to change. If you are planning to visit the Self-Help Center in person, please call (763) 279-4325 (voicemails not currently accepted) to confirm the Center is open the day you plan to visit.

Walk-In HoursThursdays and Fridays from 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. on a first-come first-served basis based on availability. Note: Based on staffing, hours/days are subject to change. If you are planning to visit the Self-Help Center in person, please call (763) 279-4325 (voicemails not currently accepted) to confirm the Center is open the day you plan to visit.

Fridays 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. & 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. on a first-come first-served basis based on availabillity. Note: Based on staffing, hours/days are subject to change. If you are planning to visit the Self-Help Center in person, please call (763) 279-4325 (voicemails not currently accepted) to confirm the Center is open the day you plan to visit.

Law Libraries

You may also be able to get help with your legal problem, including help with legal research from a law librarian at the MN State Law Library. Other law libraries also have free or low-cost access to legal research databases for the public.

IMPORTANT: If you represent yourself in court, you are responsible for knowing the law and rules. Representing yourself is risky because each step in the process may have consequences that you might not think about. You should get legal advice.

What is a "law?"

Constitutions

In the U.S., there is a Federal Constitution and individual State Constitutions. These written documents created the powers, duties and limits of the government, and the rights of people within the U.S. Constitutions are a part of the "law."

Statutes and Administrative Rules

Statutes and Administrative Rules, also known as “black letter law,” are laws written by the Legislative body of government on many topics. Statutes and Administrative Rules usually direct or command that certain actions be carried out, or that certain actions are prohibited.

Case Law

Case law, also known as "common law," refers to decisions put in writing by judges. The written decisions are called court “opinions.” The legal system of the U.S. is based on the common law tradition, and this means that judges usually must rely on case law (prior written decisions) to determine how laws, including statutes and rules, are to be understood and applied to the facts of new cases. Judges in lower courts, such as trial courts, usually have to make decisions that agree with the case law (i.e., opinions) from higher courts, such as the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals.

Court Rules

The Supreme Court writes many kinds of Rules that set out procedures for how courts function and what parties must do to have their cases handled in court.

Legal Research

Get help with legal research from a law librarian at the MN State Law Library. Other law libraries also have free or low-cost access to legal research databases for the public.

Legal Advice Clinics by County

Select Counties in the 10th District

Family Law Advice by Phone
Low-income people who have a court case in Anoka, Chisago, Isanti or Washington County can get a free 20-minute legal advice consult on family law matters from the Volunteer Lawyers Network. To schedule an appointment, please call the VLN Intake Line (612) 752-6677 at 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Anoka County

Family Law Clinic (flyer): One Thursday each month (see Clinic Calendar), people can meet with an attorney on divorce, custody, child support, Orders for Protection, and other family law matters. Please call (763) 324-5560 for an appointment. The law library is on the 1st floor of the Anoka County courthouse.

Housing Law Clinic: On certain Mondays each month (see Clinic Calendar), people can meet with an attorney on eviction, lock-outs, lease violations, and other housing law matters. This is a walk-in service located in the Anoka County Courthouse.

Volunteer attorneys provide free brief advice on civil legal issues. The clinic takes place at the Isanti County Government Center in Cambridge, the 2nd Monday of every month from 1-4 p.m. Pre-registration strongly suggested, but not required. Walk-ins will be seen based on availability. Family law questions can be answered at every clinic, other topics based on attorney availability. Please call to pre-register if you have a non-family law question in order to ensure we can assist. For questions, or to register, contact CMLS at 320-257-4873 or 1-800-622-7773.

Kanabec County

Volunteer Attorney Program offers general legal advice and help completing court forms for low-income individuals on the second Monday of each month at 12:00 noon in the Kanabec County courthouse. Call (218) 723-4005 to schedule an appointment. NOTE: Residents from ANY Minnesota county may use this legal advice clinic.

Pine County

Volunteer Attorney Program offers general legal advice and help completing court forms for low-income individuals on the first Thursday of each month at 12:00 noon at the Pine County courthouse. Call (218) 723-4005 to schedule an appointment.

Sherburne County

The Sherburne County Law Library offers a free legal consultation or referral information. To schedule an appointment for Wednesday 8:00a - 12:00p or Thursday 12:00p - 4:00p, call (763) 229-3056. You can also download and print their brochure.

Washington CountyWashington County Criminal Defense Panel Program
People charged with a misdemeanor, gross misdemeanor or felony in Washington County may get some brief legal help from a private attorney in this program free of charge. Call (651) 748-9373 for details.

Washington County Legal Advice Clinic
Volunteer attorneys from the Washington County Bar Association offer free 30-minute consults at the Washington County Law Library on civil, criminal and family law issues. To use this clinic, you must live in or have a court case in Washington County, and your income must be at or below 300% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Please call (651) 430-6330 for an appointment. You may also email lawlibrary@co.washington.mn.us questions about the advice clinic or law library services.CLINIC HOURS:
Civil law: every other Monday, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Fill out the clinic intake form.
Family law: Tuesday, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Fill out the clinic intake form.
Criminal law: Wednesday, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

The First Judicial District serves the counties of Carver, Dakota, Goodhue, Le Sueur, McLeod, Scott, and Sibley.

Select Counties in the 1st District

Family Law Advice by Phone
Low-income people who have a court case in Carver, Dakota or Scott County can get a free 20-minute legal advice consult on family law matters from the Volunteer Lawyers Network. To schedule an appointment, please call the VLN Intake Line at (612) 752-6677 from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Dakota County

The Dakota County Free Legal Clinics Program is offered in partnership through the Dakota County Law Library, Dakota County District Court Administration, and Legal Assistance of Dakota County. Free legal advice clinics are available on family law and consumer law topics such as bankruptcy, debt collection, garnishment, mortgages, foreclosures, landlord-tenant, and Conciliation Court. Volunteer attorneys provide 30-minute consults at the clinics, which are offered at various times and locations. To use the clinics, you must live in Dakota County and schedule an appointment by calling (952) 431-3200. Learn more.

Dakota County Law Library also partners with Volunteer Lawyers Network (VLN) for a criminal expungement clinic the fourth Tuesday of each month starting at 1:30 pm. No appointment is necessary for the expungement clinic. Please contact the Dakota County Law Library at 651-438-8080 for more information.

Goodhue County

Legal Assistance of Dakota County, Ltd (LADC) and Goodhue County District Court Administration offer a free legal advice clinic for low-income individuals on family law topics. The clinic is held on the first Wednesday of every month from 12:00p.m. until 2:00p.m., by appointment only at the Goodhue County Justice Center. You must have a case in Goodhue County in order to get legal advice. Please call LADC directly at (952) 431-3200 to schedule an appointment.

Family Law Advice by Phone
Low-income people who have a court case in Ramsey County District Court can get a free 20-minute legal advice consult on family law matters from the Volunteer Lawyers Network. To schedule an appointment, please call the VLN Intake Line at (612) 752-6677 from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Family Court Self-Help Service Center
A legal clinic is available Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from noon to 3:00 p.m. for parties proceeding without attorneys. To schedule an appointment with a volunteer attorney at this legal clinic, call 651-266-5125. For more information, please see our brochure.

The Third Judicial District serves the counties of Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha, Waseca, and Winona.

Olmsted County

The Olmsted County Law Library - Free Legal Clinics Program is offered in for people representing themselves in court in Olmsted County. People can meet with a volunteer attorney for a brief consult up to 30 minutes. Topic areas may include family Law, financial cases (debtor/creditor, pre-bankruptcy), and criminal expungement. You must schedule an appointment to meet with the volunteer attorney by calling the Law Library at (507) 218-3778 or by email at staff@olmstedlawlibrary.com.

Family Law Advice by Phone
Low-income people who have a court case in Hennepin County can get a free 20-minute legal advice consult on family law matters from the Volunteer Lawyers Network. To schedule an appointment, please call the VLN Intake Line at (612) 752-6677 from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Date and Time:
First and Third Wednesday of each month (subject to change)
1:00 p.m. — 3:30 p.m.

Services provided by the Attorney include reviewing documents; advising on the content of the documents; on legal issues and procedures; on next steps; answering questions and providing explanation as needed.

Appointments required no drop-ins accepted

Fee:
There is a $30.00 fee per person, payable in cash or money order, and due directly to the attorney at the beginning of the Self-Help Workshop.

Central Minnesota Legal Services, in cooperation with volunteer attorneys, conducts a free legal advice clinic to assist unrepresented clients with civil legal issues. Clinics are held Tuesdays from 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. at the St. Cloud Public Library . Pre-registration is required. For questions, or to register, please contact CMLS at 320-257-4873 or 1-800-622-7773.

Todd County Legal Advice Clinic

Central Minnesota Legal Services offers a free legal advice clinic on civil legal issues for eligible clients on the 4th Monday of the month. The clinic is held from 11:15 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. at the Staples Public Library and 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. at the Long Prairie Library. Pre-registration is required. For questions, or to register, please contact CMLS at (320) 257-4855 or 1-800-622-7773.

Kandiyohi County

The Willmar Public Library hosts a free legal advice clinic for low-income families and individuals with a volunteer attorney from Central Minnesota Legal Services who offers advice on family law, probate, housing and real property the third Friday of every month from 10 a.m.-11 a.m. Please call 320-235-7662 to pre-register and for details.

Aitkin County

Volunteer Attorney Program offers general legal advice and help completing court forms for low-income individuals on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 12:00 noon in the Aitkin County courthouse. Call (218) 723-4005 to schedule an appointment. NOTE: Residents from any Minnesota county may use this legal advice clinic.

Cass County

Crow Wing County

Legal Advice ClinicVolunteer Attorney Program offers general legal advice and help completing court forms for low-income individuals on the second Wednesday of each month at 10:30 a.m. in the Crow Wing County courthouse. Call (218) 723-4005 to schedule an appointment. NOTE: Residents from any Minnesota county may use this legal advice clinic.

Itasca County

Volunteer Attorney Program offers general legal advice for low-income individuals and help completing court forms on the fourth Thursday of each month at 12:00 noon in the Itasca County courthouse. Call (218) 723-4005 to schedule an appointment. NOTE: Residents from any Minnesota county may use this legal advice clinic.

Polk County
Legal Services of Northwest Minnesota offers a legal clinic on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month from 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. at the Polk County Courthouse, 816 Marin Avenue, Crookston, Minnesota.

Roseau County
Legal Services of Northwest Minnesota offers a legal advice clinic on the first Wednesay of the month from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and on all other Wednesdays of the month from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the Roseau County Law Library. The clinic is first come, first serve. Please see the flyer for more information.

Court of Appeals Clinics

If you are working on filing an appeal to the Minnesota Court of Appeals, you may be able to get help at the Appeals Self-Help Clinic through the Minnesota State Law Library, which is located in St. Paul. Download the flyer to learn more about the hours and location of the clinic. If you are appealing a denial of unemployment benefits to the Court of Appeals, the State Law Library also hosts an Unemployment Appeal Legal Advice Clinic that you can attend by telephone or in person.

If you want to attend either clinic you must make an appointment through the Minnesota State Law Library by calling (651) 297-7651 or by emailing askalibrarian@courts.state.mn.us.